4 gal planted shrimp tank

[chizamp]

I just purchased a new Finnex 4 gallon nano tank. Now I need to start planning on what else I need. I am planning on having Red Cherry Shrimp in it. I was wondering what you all would recommend for a good substrate? I kind of like the sand look. Any good recommendations for a sand substrate? Would sand work well with a planted tank and RCS? I could also do a little bit of sand in the front and maybe some black substrate in the back, for the plants. That is if the plants don't take too well to the sand. Also, what kind of plants do RCS like that are also small enough to keep in a 4 gallon? My tap water pH is like 7.0 or 7.2 as far as I can tell from the strip tests. This is my first attempt at an aquarium of any kind so any information or advice that you think might be helpful will be well appreciated. I plan on starting a journal once I get all of my supplies in so you can follow along (and help out ) on my first attempt.

[LGHT]

If you like sand get some ADA rio-negro sand.

[fishsandwitch]

Get some color quartz. Ada is overpriced.

If I were you though, I would get eco complete or flourite black sand.

you will need

Light
filter with some kind of sponge prefilter
heater
substrate
plants
Prime water conditioner

And for food you should get some kind of spirulina or algae disks and tetra cyclops-eze granules.


For plants I would do
Dwarf hairgrass or some kind of short stem plant
Flame moss would work good or any type. I like peacock and flame the most. Maybe you could have like 1/3-1/2 peacock or other moss and then a piece of hardscape and then flame moss?

[NeonShrimp]

You have already received some good advice already. I just wanted to add I have several nano shrimp tanks and they all have moss, moss and more moss. The shrimp like to climb all over it and pick at it and they are great for baby shrimp when the are growing and seaching for microfood. I also have small clippings of plants such as Lobelia, java ferns, Marsilea, Pellia, Süßwassertang, Fissiden and did I mention Moss

I look forward to your journal when you strart it.

[chizamp]

It comes with a 13w pc light and a HOB 30gph filter. I don't know if that filter will work or not? I don't want it to suck up any shrimp. It's only a 4 gallon tank, so i should only need one bag of the ADA rio-negro sand right? It can't be that much for one bag, can it? I mean if I was getting a 55 gallon then that would be a different story, but for a 4 gallon? I am just looking to get some nice looking, good working substrate. Thanks for your tips on the plants, I will have to look those up and see if anyone has any for sale on the swap n sell forum. I would kind of like to get a piece of wood and tie some plant to it, make it look like a tree kind of, i have seen it done. I just have no idea of any plant names or types even so I am trying to read more about that.

[NeonShrimp]

You can use this site to reasearch plants, it has helped me often.

http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide.php

[chizamp]

Does anyone have a picture of a tank setup with the ADA rio-negro sand? I went to their site, I think they might be sold out, as when i click on the link for the rio-negro it just goes to a blank page, and i dont see it listed at the bottom with the others on the main sand page. Does anyone else recommend any other types of sand? Would i be able to use that as a sole substrate or would i need a layer of some other kind of substrate?

[kana]

I just purchased ADA Aquasoil and used half of a 3L bag for my Finnex 4 gallon. It cost 10.00 for the soil and 10 for shipping. Just thought you might want to know.

[chizamp]

What type of Aquasoil did you get? How do you like it? Any pictures of it in your tank?

[fishsandwitch]

most likely amazonian 2. Its the only kind anyone gets. There are tons of aquasoil pics in the photo forum

[chizamp]

Do you have to wash ADA AS?

[southerndesert]

They actually recommend you do not wash it first and I use it in all my acidic/soft water tanks. Beware a LONG cycle when first setting up. I have seen ammonia and Nitrites showing after 3 weeks in a 20 long with new ADA Amazonia II.

Be sure to mature the tank and check parameters before adding your critters!

Cheers, Bill

[chizamp]

Well, I just checked my email and apparently the 4 gallon finnex tank has been discontinued. My money has been refunded. So, thats the 8 gal and the 4 gal they killed off.

[LGHT]

Originally Posted by chizamp

Well, I just checked my email and apparently the 4 gallon finnex tank has been discontinued. My money has been refunded. So, thats the 8 gal and the 4 gal they killed off.

Wow that sucks. I checked the tank and it looked pretty nice. Anyone know of another similar tank?

[kana]

Discontinued? Not that one too!
There is a guy on Ebay that always sells them, but I just checked and it doesn't look like he has any listed right now. I just recently purchased mine, so I'm sure many online stores still have them in stock.

Yes, I bought the Amazonian 2. You aren't suppose to rinse it per package directions. Yes, I like it so far....but I am dealing with Algae and hating the entire tank right now. It does spike ammonia for a couple weeks so you need to have patients with it. I'm going to put shrimp in mine, but that wont happen for at least another couple months.

I haven't figured out how to load my jpeg images here yet so PM me your email address and I will send them to you.

There is a 4 gallon nano out there that looks similiar, but it has a rim and the glass isn't as thick. I will try to find it.